How Baylor's Matt Rhule has influenced Rice's Mike Bloomgren

Rice coach Mike Bloomgren, at a preseason practice, has been a fan of Baylor coach Matt Rhule.

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Mike Bloomgren has always acknowledged the importance of mentors and role models.

That’s why he made a point to show his appreciation for veteran coaches like Stanford’s David Shaw or former Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione, when he was introduced on South Main in 2017.

He’s also been close to Baylor coach Matt Rhule, calling him for advice throughout his tenure at Rice. But with the Owls set to host the Bears this Saturday, the conversation between the two friends wasn’t as convivial.

“He’s been very open about everything and telling me, ‘This is how I package it to my team,’” Bloomgren said.

“I never call a head coach the week we’re going to play but I called him Sunday night and he answered on the first ring like he always did. I don’t think he was quite as willing to give me advice this week.”

Rhule influenced Bloomgren’s approach to his players, particularly how to balance positivity with accountability. He also helped show how to build a program from the bottom.

While Bloomgren has been acknowledged for fielding freshmen early and often, Rhule — who started coaching Baylor a year before Bloomgren arrived at Rice — has played 81 different true or redshirt freshmen during his time in Waco.

“If you ever hear him talk, you can tell he’s the son of a minister. He is going to be convicted about what he talks about and it’s hard not to believe and be ready to go play for him when you hear him talk,” Bloomgren said. “He talks about things that I just believe in so completely.”

Following a bye week, Rhule has had ample time to analyze the Owls on film.

Despite early Rice losses to teams like Army and Texas, the Baylor coach came away impressed.

“They're a tough, rugged group,” he said. “You watch their run defense versus a really good Texas team, versus a really good Army team that took Michigan to overtime, versus a really good Wake Forest team. They've had a tough road to go in terms of their opponents.”

In a way, that style of play illustrates what he knows about his friend.

“To see who Rice is, I go back and watch the Army game because it takes grit and toughness to play them. We played them when I was the head coach at Temple, and we were 16-point favorites and they beat us. And they beat us because we didn't really want that,” he said.

“Rice went out there and they loved every second of it, and they had a chance to win the game … I love playing against teams that I respect, and I respect Rice and who they are with coach Bloomgren. Watching how they play, it will be a battle. So, we're preparing for that right now."

Glynn A. Hill covers Rice and Houston-area college athletics for the Houston Chronicle, joining the paper in September 2015. A graduate of Howard University, he previously worked internships at organizations including the Associated Press and USA Today.